BY ESCALIER DE CRISTAL, PARIS, THE PORCELAIN KANGXI (1662-1722), THE MOUNTS, CIRCA 1860-80

L'Escalier de Cristal was established in 1802 at the Palais Royal, nos. 162-3, by Madame veuve Desarnaud (1775-1842), otherwise known as Marie-Jeanne-Rosalie Charpentier. The company produced furniture, clocks, vases and other objets d'art for the ruling families of Europe and in 1819 became 'Fournisseur breveté du Roi' as well as the Duc de Berry and Garde-meuble de la Couronne. The firm exhibited to great acclaim at the 1819 Exposition des produits de l'Industrie, before being acquired by Lahoche et Boin in 1847 and further expanding under the ownership of Pannier Frères (1890-1923). While the firm was known for its Louis XVI style meubles d'ébénisterie, it was renowned for its exquisite objets montés made of crystal or porcelain and further adorned with finely-chased ormolu mounts in the 18th fashion. L'Escalier de Cristal is also recorded to have collaborated with famed designers such as Emile Gallé and Christofle, until it ceased its activity in 1923.
A pot-pourri vase by Escalier de Cristal was sold at Christie's, Paris, 25 June 2008, lot 216, while a marqueterie-sur-verre jug by Gallé with ormolu mounts by the Frères Panier at Escalier de Cristal, was sold at Christie's, London, 4 May 2007, lot 84 (£28,800 with premium).